Breast Cancer Questions and Answers
CMH offers regular educational programs on breast cancer. Check the classes and screenings listing for upcoming dates and times. We also host a regular breast cancer support group - where you can get feedback and support from other women living with cancer.
Here are some common questions and answers about breast cancer:
What are the best ways to detect breast cancer early?
The earlier that breast cancer is detected, the greater the chances for treatment to be effective. That is why regular breast self-examination, exams by your healthcare provider and regular mammograms are so important. They are the most powerful tools available to us today.
When should I do my breast self-exam (BSE)?
It is best to do a breast self-examination once a month at the same time each month. A general guideline to follow is to do your BSE 14 days (2 weeks) after the first day of your period. You can note this day on your calendar when you note the day your period begins. However, if this is the time of the month when your breasts are most tender, you may do your BSE several days earlier.
At what age should I have my first mammogram?
There are some disagreements about the exact age to begin and how often to have a mammogram, but the guidelines are very close in their recommendations. A good place to begin is with your insurance company. Call the main information number on your insurance cards to ask about your screening benefits. The trend today is toward having a first mammogram at age 35. If the result is normal, you should then have yearly mammograms beginning at age 40. If the results are questionable, your healthcare provider will recommend the next steps to take.
There is one important variation for women whose mothers had breast cancer before menopause. If you fall into this category, you should have your first screening mammogram 10 years before the age of your mother when she was diagnosed. For example, if your mother was diagnosed at age 38, you should have your first mammogram at age 28.
If a lump or something suspicious is found during a screening mammogram, what tests will my doctor then recommend?
Most likely, your healthcare provider will refer you for a diagnostic mammogram and a breast ultrasound. During a diagnostic mammogram, more pictures are taken of the breast from many angles to get a better look at lumps or breast changes. It includes more views of the breast than a screening mammogram. An ultrasound uses sound waves instead of X-rays and can distinguish a fluid-filled cyst from a solid mass.
When is a biopsy necessary?
If the mammogram/ultrasound results indicate the breast change is a solid lump, your surgeon will most likely want to do a surgical biopsy to remove the lump or a portion of it to look more closely at the cells. This will tell your doctor whether the lump is a benign tumor, a cyst, a calcium deposit or a malignant tumor.
How do I choose between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy?
This decision is an individual one that is based on each woman's particular case, the type and stage of cancer and other factors. The first step in making this decision is to find a surgeon with whom you feel comfortable and who has expertise in breast surgery. You should discuss your options with him/her.
Generally, research has shown equal chances of success with both types of surgery for early stage breast cancer. During a lumpectomy, the surgeon removes the lump, the tissue around it and some lymph nodes for further study. Although there is a chance that not all the cancer will be removed, the surgery is less invasive and the breast is saved. Radiation therapy is generally recommended to reduce the chance that the cancer will return. Mastectomy involves the removal of the entire breast and some lymph nodes under the arm. You may experience more soreness, a loss of function or flexibility in the arm and some arm swelling. However, in many cases, you do not need to undergo radiation therapy if you have had a mastectomy. You may want to ask your doctor about the options for breast reconstruction.
Will I have chemotherapy and radiation after surgery?
Again, this will depend to some extent on your specific type of cancer, the stage of the tumor and whether or not your doctor found lymph node involvement. If you have a lumpectomy, you will undergo radiation therapy to destroy any cancer cells in that specific area. Your doctor may also recommend chemotherapy to kill any cancer cells that may be elsewhere in your body. It is important to discuss these two therapy options with your oncologist. Click here for more information about chemotherapy and radiation therapy through Calvert Memorial Hospital.
What are my options for reconstruction?
For women who are having a mastectomy, there are several surgical approaches to restoring your breast's appearance. Before your breast surgery, talk to a plastic surgeon who specializes in breast reconstruction. Click here to locate a surgeon at CMH.
Breast reconstruction may be done at the same time as the mastectomy or later. It may involve the use of implants, expanders and/or tissue from other parts of your body. You will need to discuss your specific case with the plastic surgeon to decide which approach works best for you and whether or not to have the procedure at the time of the mastectomy or later.
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